Summary
M-Pesa is a mobile-based fund-transfer and micro-level banking service available to customers of Safaricom, Kenya's largest mobile network. Introduced in 2007, the service has become a primary channel for fund transfers in the country. As of March 2016 it had an active customer base of 23.7 million in Kenya, representing roughly 85% of the country's adult population.

Originally developed as a low-cost microfinance loan-repayment system, it was extended as an open platform to remit funds and make consumer payments, due to its rising popularity. This was largely a result of factors such as the high cost of remitting funds through banking, a lack of banking facilities, and the high costs involved with dealing with cash in Kenya.

Users can register for the service at an authorized M-Pesa agent, and transfer money from an M-Pesa account to a recipient by mobile phone. In addition to money transfers, M-Pesa users can also carry out transactions such as ATM cash withdrawals, and online and in-store payments using a mobile phone. Furthermore, Safaricom has collaborated with Commercial Bank of Africa (CBA), allowing users to open an M-Shwari bank account on a mobile phone without having to visit a bank branch.

With its success in Kenya, the M-Pesa service was expanded to nine countries outside Kenya, and is now available in Tanzania, Democratic Republic of Congo, India, Mozambique, Egypt, Lesotho, Ghana, Albania and Romania.

Key Findings
- This report provides a comprehensive overview of alternative payment solution M-Pesa, including its operations, history and geographical presence.
- It provides an overview of products and services offered, and explanations of how they work.
- It provides details of financial performance, including revenue models.

Synopsis
The report provides information and insights into alternative payment solution M-Pesa, including:
- Detailed insight into its business and geographical presence
- Comprehensive coverage of its products and services
- Comparative assessment with key alternative payment solutions
- Information on its performance, including its revenue model
- The company's important events and milestones

Reasons To Buy
- Gain insights into M-Pesa's operations, geographical presence and key events.
- Gain insights into its product portfolio and revenue model.
- Assess the competitive dynamics in the alternative payments industry by comparing M-Pesa's performance against its competitors.

Key Highlights
- As of March 2016, M-Pesa had 25.3 million active customers globally.
- In Kenya alone it had a customer base of 23.7 million, equivalent to more than 85% of country's overall adult population, as of March 2016.
- Kenya remains the primary market, accounting for more than 90% of M-Pesa's global customer base.
- The value transacted through M-Pesa in Kenya in FY2016 was equivalent to around 38% of the country's GDP.